EMS director Greg Miller spoke at Thursday’s Frankfort Rotary Club and explained the “inside story” of the new EMS building nearing completion on South Jackson Street in the Clinton County Fairground entrance area.
Why was the new EMS building site location chosen? First, the new building is located on existing Clinton County property. Second, all utilities were readily available at the new location. Third, the new building is central to the existing and new I.U. hospital location.
The new 5000 square foot facility will be having an open house for the public soon but the date has not been announced yet. There are two areas in facility. The public area with a training room, Director and assistant director offices will be separated from the restricted access coded living area with 8 living “pods” two shower areas and a kitchen/dayroom area.
The current EMS building was never intended for a permanent home for EMS. It’s two story layout with limited living and bathroom/shower facilities did not fit the bill long-term but did provide a base of operations for 7 years. The 3,500 annual call load and support of 4 equipped units with EMT and ParaMedic staff required more infrastructure to properly support the rising call count in Clinton County.
The EMS system is helped by EMT service in Kirklin, Michigantown, Mulberry and Colfax. The system has an average response time in the entire County of only 8 minutes. Average time on the scene to stabilize, treat and prepare transport is 22 minutes. This time on site has increased in Clinton County and nationwide as more critical live-saving treatment can more successfully be rendered on site with proper training and equiptment. “Load and Go” is not the best practice anymore.
The new facility will not have a helicopter pad. This will be located at the new hospital campus across Jackson Street.
Miller said Clinton County is fortunate to have a well trained team of EMTs and Paramedics. Clinton County will pay for the $5,000 training for new Paramedics accepted into the program and will also pay for the $500 training for new EMTs accepted into the program.
WILO AM/FM, Shine 99 and Clinton County Daily News will keep you posted on any Open-house announcements for the new facility.
